Wild Harris

Shelduck    (Photo: Cliff Reddick)

There are a few shelducks nesting in Harris – they like places where rivers flow into the sea, like at Northton.

At a distance they just look black and white, but close up you can see the amazing red bill.

Shelduck    (Photo: Cliff Reddick)

They nest at the edge of the machair, beside the beach, and when the young hatch they are lead straight down to the water. Both the male and female shelducks help to look after the young chicks.

The young shelduck are brownish above and white below.

by Alison Tyler